JD Vance positions himself as a staunch advocate for the working class.

Some refer to the vice president-elect as “Trumpier than Trump.”

Similar to President-elect Donald Trump, whose popularity among working class voters helped him secure two presidential terms, Vance has backed protectionist measures intended to limit foreign competition in trade and immigration. This translates into increased tariffs, import barriers, and stricter immigration laws.

However, unlike Trump, the former Ohio senator has also endorsed traditionally liberal initiatives, including a child tax credit and raising the minimum wage while opposing further tax cuts for corporations. He has acknowledged President Joe Biden’s Federal Trade Commission chair for enforcing antitrust laws and has shown support for labor unions, even joining a picket line. This positions him closer to progressive figures like Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.

Michael Strain, the director of economic policy studies at the conservative American Enterprise Institute and a long-time friend, noted that Vance adopts a more populist and nationalist approach to economic matters than Trump does.

“JD is very focused on enhancing the earnings of working-class Americans,” he observed. “This seems to be a central priority for him, influencing many of his specific policy choices.”

Vance has not been a favorite among traditional free-market conservatives that typically dominate the Republican party. So, will he succeed in promoting economic policy ideas that diverge from established Republican views, as well as those that may not align with Trump? Will his two-year tenure as a U.S. senator provide him an advantage as he attempts to promote Trump’s economic agenda to congressional Republicans and even some Democrats?

Vance is widely regarded as a likely successor to Trump, especially since the 78-year-old president-elect is limited to serving one term. Analysts and associates of Vance have suggested that while he may influence Trump’s perspective, his agenda is not expected to stray from Trump’s established outlook. They highlight that during his campaign, Trump lacked a dedicated policy director and prefers to manage economic issues personally.

At age 40, Vance gained prominence with his book *Hillbilly Elegy*, a memoir that reflects on the struggles of white working-class Americans in the Ohio steel town he grew up in, painting a vivid picture of job loss and despair. Many viewed the book as a rationale for Trump’s 2016 election victory and a glimpse into the mindset of his voter base in the rust belt and beyond.

Strain anticipates that Vance will play a significant role in shaping the administration’s priorities and policies, and does not foresee any significant conflicts between the two.

“At least not in public,” he commented.

This sentiment echoes with Doug Holtz-Eakin, who previously served as the chief economist in former President George H.W. Bush’s Council of Economic Advisers and led the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office during President George W. Bush’s administration.

“Presidents dictate the agenda; vice presidents typically adapt to their priorities,” he stated.

Nonetheless, Holtz-Eakin noted that Vance might find avenues to influence Trump through his persuasive abilities and logical arguments.

“But he will need to demonstrate that it aligns with his political interests,” he remarked.

Holtz-Eakin also emphasized that Trump recognizes Vance’s potential as a successor and the necessity of preparing him for future success. “Allowing him to achieve success on policy fronts is one way to do that,” he added.

Vance’s background is marked by challenges; his father abandoned the family when he was young, and his mother struggled with addiction. He was predominantly raised by his working-class grandparents in Middletown, about 30 miles north of Cincinnati. After high school, he enlisted in the Marines and served as a military journalist from 2003 to 2007. He earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio State University before obtaining a law degree from Yale Law School.

Transitioning into the tech sector as a venture capitalist, Vance has passionately highlighted the feelings of despair and lack of economic prospects among the white working class in the rust belt, which faces factory closures and the loss of jobs.

He identifies as part of the “postliberal right,” distancing himself from both the progressive left — with its focus on individual rights — and economic liberalism that advocates for free markets. This movement aligns with Trump’s America First policies and promotes economic nationalism.

As an economic populist, Vance has expressed opposition to free trade and foreign military engagements.

“Jobs were moved overseas and our children were sent to fight,” he articulated during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in July. “Our nation has been inundated with inexpensive Chinese products and foreign labor. From Iraq to Afghanistan, from the financial crisis to the Great Recession, and from open borders to stagnant wages, the leaders of our country have repeatedly failed us.”

After his election to the Senate from Ohio in 2022, Vance stood out for his readiness to collaborate with members of the opposing party. In 2023, he worked alongside former Democratic Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown on bipartisan legislation for railroad safety following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and teamed up with Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on a bill aimed at reclaiming excessive executive pay from failing banks.

“Vance is not a traditionalist — he’s a heterodox thinker. He lacks a consistent intellectual framework,” Holtz-Eakin remarked. “His support spans an assortment of economic policies, which reflects a growing trend within the Republican party.”

Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, who won against Brown in the 2024 election, views Vance’s Senate experience as a significant advantage.

“He brings a fresh perspective and innovative thinking while possessing a deep understanding of the institution’s workings,” noted Moreno. “He was there, but just long enough to remain unspoiled by the system.”

However, he emphasized that the ultimate decision-maker is still Trump. “JD is the first mate,” he stated. “Like Trump, he’s an outsider in the political realm, free from the burdens imposed by traditional politics.”

This viewpoint is echoed by Holtz-Eakin, who mentioned Trump’s recent appointment of Andrew Ferguson to lead the Federal Trade Commission. Ferguson is anticipated to adopt a more lenient approach to mergers and acquisitions than the current head, Lina Khan, whom Vance has commended.

“Trump has already begun shifting his stance on antitrust matters,” he noted, indicating the limited influence any individual may wield over Trump’s decisions.

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal